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Topic: 1995 U280 periodically won't start. Any help will be appreciated.  (Read 616 times) previous topic - next topic

1995 U280 periodically won't start. Any help will be appreciated.

Hello everyone I am new to motorhomes and just purchased a pristine one owner 1995 U280. I am having intermittent periods of non starting. It'll go days in a row of cranking just fine and then it'll just beep when you turn on the key and have two star like symbols on the transmission screen. Any ideas and or advice will be greatly appreciated.

Re: 1995 U280 periodically won't start. Any help will be appreciated.

Reply #1 –
Welcome to the ForeForum.

Check the transmission for  DIAGNOSTIC CODES.

With ignition on, engine off, push the up and down arrows on the shift pad at the same time.

That will either bring up OL or d-1.

If OL, push the up and down arrows again to bring up d-1.

Record any codes

If there is anything over than d-1 followed by - -, push the mode button to get to d-2.  Continue until you get d-"whatever" and - -.

Look up the codes in your Allison manual or on line on Allison's website.

Let us know what you find.

Be aware that there are two 12 VDC feeds to the Allison ECU.  Low voltage (below 12 VDC) on the chassis battery can cause all kinds of issues.

If "snake eyes" continue on the shift pad, we do have a guru who specialized is fixing these issues.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: 1995 U280 periodically won't start. Any help will be appreciated.

Reply #2 –
Thank you so much! I have actually stumbled upon a new scenario that I hadn't seen yet. I was just trying the coach again and after several cycles of the key the engine actually started but still snake eyes on the screen. I'll try what you suggested and keep you posted. Again thank you so very much!! I'll post the build number and a picture of this thing as soon as I can get it moved.

Re: 1995 U280 periodically won't start. Any help will be appreciated.

Reply #3 –
Welcome to the Forum!  The '95 U280 is one of the last and best early 90's GV models.  Should be a great coach!

Link below to my thread detailing my encounter with the dread "Snake Eyes" symbol on the Allison touch pad.  May help give you a little context when trouble shooting your present malfunction.

No start, with Allison "snake eyes" (Problem Solved)

1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: 1995 U280 periodically won't start. Any help will be appreciated.

Reply #4 –
Ok so latest update is it's throwing 6932 code. I'm definitely gonna check with John tomorrow. Thank all of you so much for the help! My wife and I are thrilled to be a part of the foretravel family and this forum.

Re: 1995 U280 periodically won't start. Any help will be appreciated.

Reply #5 –
Quote from: khancock83 –
Ok so latest update is it's throwing 6932 code. I'm definitely gonna check with John tomorrow. Thank all of you so much for the help! My wife and I are thrilled to be a part of the foretravel family and this forum.

Here's the Allison code manual in the wiki/Media

https://www.foreforums.com/MGalleryItem.php?id=942

(oddly, 32 is not shown as a subcode for main 69 - but all the 69 codes are related to the ECU)
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: 1995 U280 periodically won't start. Any help will be appreciated.

Reply #6 –
Yup, John is the man for Allison shift pad and ECU issues.

Just make sure both 12 VDC positive feeds to the ECU are good (check ECU side of fuses).
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: 1995 U280 periodically won't start. Any help will be appreciated.

Reply #7 –
Ok thank y'all.  I'll grab the volt meter and check it out. Where might those fuses be located? Driver or passenger side panels?

Re: 1995 U280 periodically won't start. Any help will be appreciated.

Reply #8 –
Quote from: khancock83 –
Where might those fuses be located? Driver or passenger side panels?
Do you have the 12V wiring diagram for your coach?  If so, it should show the location and I.D. of all the 12V fuses (or circuit breakers).

All my 12 volt automotive fuses are under the lift-up dash cover, directly in front of the driver.  If your coach has the removable vertical panel directly in front of the passenger seat, then it is different from my '93.  Yours will be set up more like the later Unicoach models.

1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: 1995 U280 periodically won't start. Any help will be appreciated.

Reply #9 –
Yes sir I've got it and it does have the vertical panel in front of the passenger seat. I'll check on it before calling John. Thank you and have a great night.

Re: 1995 U280 periodically won't start. Any help will be appreciated.

Reply #10 –
So sorry for the delay but we've been having too much fun since John fixed our ecu and shift pad. Thank you all again for the advice! Absolutely cannot say enough wonderful things about John and his crew at "Transmission Instruments"!!!

Re: 1995 U280 periodically won't start. Any help will be appreciated.

Reply #11 –
So what was wrong, and how did you fix it?

Also, please take a few minutes to put your coach information in your signature file. That way we will know what sort of engine/transmission combination we're talking about.

Re: 1995 U280 periodically won't start. Any help will be appreciated.

Reply #12 –
On our coach the "neutral-start" relay needs to have good voltage level from tranny AND good voltage level from ignition key switch to close the AUX-Start solenoid.

We found sometimes the voltage from tranny neutral wire was low, so we now bypass the neutral-start relay and activate the AUX-Start solenoid only from ignition switch start voltage. 

No more occasional start failures that can happen at the most inappropriate places.

We are aware of several things that can lower the tranny neutral start voltage output, but they don't hurt us anymore.
 

Re: 1995 U280 periodically won't start. Any help will be appreciated.

Reply #13 –
Pics please.  We like pictures, inside, outside, roof (solar panels ), engine or storage bays. 
  Anything you got is good.
Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR